I'm in the US Army and started this blog when I was deployed to Iraq. I've the privilege of being part of an orginization with the mission that has the potential of accomplishing something positively historical. After several months of being in Baghdad I stared this blog to share a couple of my own random thoughts/personal opinions, not directly related to current mission operations.
Let me warn you upfront - I’m going to allow my thoughts to wander freely

07 May 2007

Back From R&R

I'm back in Baghdad from my mid-tour "Rest & Relaxation" holiday- got in Kuwait City this past Saturday and made it to Baghdad around mid-afternoon on Sunday ... it was a 32 hour trip.

I spent time in Germany with Sandra and Justice; slept in late; went to a few spas; traveled little; ate too much (a good thing); and drank a few beers (a very good thing). It was precisely what I required.

The fifteen days in Germany seems like only a few hours now. It took me no more than a couple of minutes to get my feet back under myself here and back into the routine. I have a renewed empty feeling, it is always there when I'm gone, but is much more noticeable when the memories are so incredibly fresh.

Progress in Iraq is measured in inches (this does not play well in the media), so daily transformation is often not noticed, but it is a pleasant reception here to see what has been accomplished in the weeks I was gone (mostly the local tribes rising up against insurgents). But the initial thing I noticed was the temperature... wow, it went from just a little hot to scorching. 106 already (it is only early May)... it is not going to be a comfortable summer.

I do not know when I will return - one year for me would be early October... but with the announced extensions last month, I do not know yet how this will affect my homecoming. I get the sense that I will gain some extra time- but perhaps not the full 90 days.

I'll attempt to get photos up on the web site (See link at top right) this week - I need to catch up a bit on work here, but my goal is to have the photos up by the weekend.

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About George

I got a great job; An Officer in the US Army. I have been in over 19 years, and have spent nine(+) years of that time overseas. I have worked border patrol in West Germany, deployed to Desert Shield/Storm and Provide Comfort, the SFOR misson in Bosina and 15 months with Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. I have a BS in Criminal Justice ('95), an MA in Security Management ('01) and an MA in Military Science ('08).
EMAIL: Brown-George@US.Army.mil